Shipping containers, ropes, rotors, and other paraphernalia from the shipping industry were artfully refreshed into the funky decor that makes up the 25Hours HafenCity Hotel. Located in the exciting new HafenCity development in southern Hamburg, the hotel is made to look like you've just stepped into a shipping warehouse. Shipping containers donated by Hamburg's own Hapag-Lloyd serve as a conference room and decor for the sauna. Designed by Stephen Williams Associates, the eclectic hotel takes inspiration from sailing and shipping and serves as the living room for the quickly growing HafenCity area.

To get the right look inside, the design team actually interviewed a number of sailors to learn more about their experiences and their work. The decor then takes direct inspiration from their interviews, the shipping industry, Hamburg and the poems of Joachim Ringelnatz with the fictitious sailor Kuttel Daddeldu. Inside, you’ll find ropes, rotors, shipping crates, old trunks, salt bleached driftwood and vintage furniture. Each room is designed to look like a cabin in a ship with a custom repurposed travel trunk that opens up to reveal information, log books, drinks, and a working space with writing instruments and electrical connections.

Hapag-Lloyd, a shipping company based in Hamburg, actually donated a few shipping containers to the hotel. One of the rusty, orange containers was used to build the rooftop ‘Hafen Sauna’, which features panoramic views of the harbor, as well as a punching bag and specially designed sit up chairs for a sailor-inspired workout. The other container is located downstairs in the lobby and serves as the conference room or extra seating for the restaurant. The room features a pull down container panel to create privacy. The lobby features a variety of seating and lounging options and the hotel’s restaurant, HEIMAT Küche + Bar, serves dishes made from local ingredients.